A monolithic integrated circuit that supports multiple industrial Ethernet protocols, fieldbus protocols, and industrial application processing, thereby providing a single hardware platform that may be used to build various automation devices/equipment implemented in an industrial network, such as controllers, field devices, network communication nodes, etc. The monolithic integrated circuit may comprise at least one application processor core operable to execute an industrial application and Ethernet connectivity/management code, including standard Ethernet connectivity/management code and industrial Ethernet connectivity/management code; a real time processing module configured to support a plurality of industrial Ethernet data link layers; an interface configured to be coupled to an external non volatile memory from which the at least one application processor is configured for execute in place processing; and on-chip RAM having a capacity sufficient to eliminate the need for external RAM in execution by the at least one application processor core of an operating system, the industrial application, and the Ethernet connectivity/management code.
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2. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a master/slave external bus interface configured to provide for direct master/slave communications with another microprocessor.
A monolithic integrated circuit includes a microprocessor with a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory management unit (MMU) that supports virtual memory addressing. The MMU translates virtual addresses to physical addresses, allowing the CPU to access memory locations without direct physical address management. The integrated circuit also features a master/slave external bus interface, enabling direct master/slave communication with another microprocessor. This interface allows the integrated circuit to act as either a master or a slave in bus transactions, facilitating data exchange and control operations with external processors. The design supports efficient memory management and inter-processor communication, enhancing system performance and flexibility in computing environments.
3. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a soft real-time Ethernet switch, hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and at least one low-speed fieldbus/comms interface.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for real-time communication in industrial and automotive applications. The circuit addresses the need for high-speed, deterministic data transfer in systems requiring both soft and hard real-time performance, such as automotive control units, industrial automation, and robotics. The integrated circuit includes a soft real-time Ethernet switch for managing non-critical, time-flexible data traffic, ensuring efficient bandwidth utilization. It also features hard real-time Ethernet interfaces to support deterministic communication with strict timing requirements, such as control signals in automotive systems. Additionally, the circuit incorporates at least one low-speed fieldbus or communication interface to connect with legacy or peripheral devices that operate at lower data rates. The combination of these components in a single monolithic design reduces latency, improves reliability, and simplifies system integration by consolidating multiple communication protocols into one chip. This architecture enhances performance in applications where real-time data processing and low-latency communication are critical.
4. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 3, further comprising at least one port multiplexor configured for multiplexing said soft real-time Ethernet switch and hard real-time Ethernet interfaces to at least one port of the monolithic integrated circuit.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for Ethernet communication, addressing the need for efficient integration of both soft real-time and hard real-time Ethernet interfaces within a single chip. The circuit includes a soft real-time Ethernet switch and hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, enabling simultaneous handling of time-sensitive and non-time-sensitive data traffic. A key feature is the inclusion of at least one port multiplexor, which dynamically allocates the soft real-time Ethernet switch and hard real-time Ethernet interfaces to one or more ports of the integrated circuit. This multiplexing capability ensures flexible and optimized port utilization, allowing the circuit to adapt to varying network demands while maintaining low-latency performance for real-time applications. The design eliminates the need for external multiplexing components, reducing complexity and improving reliability. The integrated circuit is particularly suited for industrial automation, automotive systems, and other applications requiring deterministic communication alongside standard Ethernet traffic.
5. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 3, wherein the soft real-time Ethernet switch, the hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and the at least one low-speed fieldbus/comms interface each include corresponding physical layer (PHY) circuitry for each of respective protocols needed for the Ethernet and the at least one fieldbus/comms.
An integrated circuit combines multiple communication interfaces for real-time and low-speed data transmission. The circuit includes a soft real-time Ethernet switch, hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and at least one low-speed fieldbus or communication interface. Each interface is integrated with dedicated physical layer (PHY) circuitry to support the respective communication protocols. The soft real-time Ethernet switch handles data with moderate timing requirements, while the hard real-time Ethernet interfaces ensure deterministic, low-latency communication for critical applications. The low-speed fieldbus/comms interface supports slower, often legacy or industrial protocols. The PHY circuitry for each interface ensures proper signal conditioning, encoding, and decoding for the specific protocol requirements. This integration reduces the need for external components, simplifies system design, and improves reliability by consolidating multiple communication functions into a single chip. The design is particularly useful in industrial automation, automotive systems, and other applications requiring mixed-criticality communication.
6. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the monolithic integrated circuit does not include on-chip Flash memory.
A monolithic integrated circuit is designed for embedded systems, eliminating the need for on-chip Flash memory while maintaining functionality. The circuit integrates multiple components, including a central processing unit (CPU), memory controllers, and peripheral interfaces, onto a single chip. By excluding on-chip Flash memory, the design reduces chip area, power consumption, and manufacturing complexity. Instead, external memory solutions, such as external Flash or other non-volatile storage, are used for data retention. The circuit may include volatile memory, such as SRAM or DRAM, for temporary storage and execution. The absence of on-chip Flash allows for greater flexibility in system architecture, enabling the use of higher-capacity or lower-cost external memory options. This approach is particularly useful in applications where cost, power efficiency, or space constraints are critical, such as IoT devices, wearables, or low-power embedded systems. The integrated circuit may also include interfaces for connecting to external memory, ensuring seamless data transfer and storage operations. The design optimizes performance by leveraging external memory while maintaining the benefits of a monolithic architecture, such as reduced latency and improved reliability.
7. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 6, wherein the monolithic integrated circuit does not include any on-chip non-volatile memory used for storing any one or more of (i) the industrial application, (ii) the Ethernet connectivity/management code, and (iii) the operating system.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for industrial applications, particularly focusing on Ethernet connectivity and management. The circuit is optimized to eliminate the need for on-chip non-volatile memory (NVM) for storing critical components such as the industrial application, Ethernet connectivity/management code, and the operating system. By excluding on-chip NVM, the design reduces cost, complexity, and potential failure points while maintaining functionality. Instead, these components are stored externally, allowing for greater flexibility in updates and scalability. The circuit integrates processing capabilities, Ethernet interfaces, and management functions into a single chip, ensuring efficient data handling and communication in industrial environments. This approach simplifies system architecture by consolidating essential features while relying on external memory for storage, enhancing reliability and ease of maintenance. The absence of on-chip NVM for these components streamlines manufacturing and reduces the risk of data corruption or memory degradation over time. The invention is particularly suited for industrial control systems, automation, and other applications requiring robust Ethernet connectivity and management without the overhead of on-chip storage.
8. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute-in-place from the external non-volatile memory at least one of the operating system, the industrial application, and the Ethernet connectivity/management code, and wherein the monolithic integrated circuit is configured such that during execution the on-chip RAM (i) stores at least the changeable process data associated with execution of the operating system, the industrial application, and the Ethernet connectivity/management code, and (ii) does not store code associated with each of the operating system, the industrial application, and the Ethernet connectivity/management code that is subject to execution-in-place.
The invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for industrial applications, addressing the need for efficient execution of software components while minimizing on-chip memory usage. The circuit includes at least one processor and external non-volatile memory, where the processor is configured to execute code directly from the external memory without copying it into on-chip RAM. This execution-in-place approach applies to critical software components such as the operating system, industrial application code, and Ethernet connectivity/management code. During operation, the on-chip RAM is used exclusively for storing changeable process data generated during execution, rather than storing the executable code itself. This design optimizes memory usage by leveraging external non-volatile memory for code storage while reserving on-chip RAM for dynamic data, improving performance and reducing hardware costs. The system ensures that only the necessary process data resides in the faster but limited on-chip RAM, while the bulk of the code remains in the larger external memory. This architecture is particularly useful in industrial control systems where memory efficiency and real-time performance are critical.
9. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein during execution at least one of the following code is stored in and executed from the on-chip RAM: (i) performance and latency critical code, such as the real-time processor code; (ii) self-modifying code; and (iii) code whose execution purpose is not compatible with execute-in-place (XIP), including any erase/write routines for the external non-volatile memory.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit with on-chip RAM for executing specific types of code. The circuit addresses the need for efficient execution of performance-critical, self-modifying, and non-XIP-compatible code in embedded systems. The on-chip RAM is used to store and execute code that requires low latency, such as real-time processor code, to ensure timely processing. Additionally, the RAM accommodates self-modifying code, which dynamically alters its own instructions during execution, a feature incompatible with traditional execute-in-place (XIP) methods. The RAM also handles code that cannot be executed directly from non-volatile memory, such as erase/write routines for external non-volatile storage, which require temporary storage and modification before execution. By offloading these tasks to the on-chip RAM, the circuit improves system performance, flexibility, and reliability, particularly in applications where real-time responsiveness and code adaptability are essential. The integration of these functions into a single chip reduces latency and power consumption compared to external memory solutions.
12. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 11, further comprising at least one port multiplexor configured for multiplexing said soft real-time Ethernet switch and hard real-time Ethernet interfaces to at least one port of the monolithic integrated circuit.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for Ethernet communication, addressing the challenge of integrating both soft real-time and hard real-time Ethernet interfaces within a single chip. The circuit includes a soft real-time Ethernet switch and hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, enabling flexible and deterministic data transmission. A key feature is the inclusion of at least one port multiplexor, which dynamically routes data between the soft real-time switch, hard real-time interfaces, and at least one external port of the integrated circuit. This multiplexing capability allows the circuit to efficiently manage multiple communication channels while maintaining real-time performance requirements. The design ensures seamless integration of different Ethernet traffic types, optimizing bandwidth utilization and reducing latency. The monolithic architecture simplifies system design by consolidating these functions into a single chip, reducing complexity and improving reliability. This solution is particularly useful in industrial automation, automotive systems, and other applications requiring both real-time and non-real-time Ethernet communication.
13. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 12, wherein the soft real-time Ethernet switch, the hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and the at least one low-speed fieldbus/comms interface each include corresponding physical layer (PHY) circuitry for each of respective protocols needed for the Ethernet and the at least one fieldbus/comms.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for industrial communication systems, addressing the need for seamless integration of multiple communication protocols in a single chip. The circuit combines soft real-time Ethernet switching, hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and at least one low-speed fieldbus or communication interface into a unified architecture. The soft real-time Ethernet switch handles data packets with flexible timing requirements, while the hard real-time Ethernet interfaces ensure deterministic, time-sensitive communication for critical applications. The low-speed fieldbus/comms interface supports legacy or specialized protocols, such as CAN, LIN, or other industrial buses. Each communication component includes dedicated physical layer (PHY) circuitry tailored to the specific protocols required for Ethernet and the fieldbus/comms interfaces. This integration reduces system complexity, minimizes latency, and enhances reliability by consolidating diverse communication functions into a single chip. The design is particularly suited for industrial automation, robotics, and other applications requiring mixed-criticality communication. The PHY circuitry ensures protocol compliance and efficient data transmission across different interfaces, enabling real-time and non-real-time traffic to coexist on the same hardware platform.
14. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 11, wherein the monolithic integrated circuit does not include on-chip Flash memory.
A monolithic integrated circuit is designed for embedded systems, eliminating the need for on-chip Flash memory while maintaining functionality. The circuit integrates multiple components, including a central processing unit (CPU), a memory controller, and peripheral interfaces, all fabricated on a single semiconductor substrate. The absence of on-chip Flash memory reduces manufacturing complexity and cost, while external memory solutions, such as external Flash or other non-volatile storage, are used instead. This design allows for greater flexibility in memory configuration and scalability, as external memory can be selected based on specific application requirements. The circuit may also include additional features such as power management units, security modules, and analog-to-digital converters to support various embedded applications. By removing on-chip Flash, the design simplifies the chip architecture, reduces die size, and lowers power consumption, making it suitable for cost-sensitive and space-constrained applications. The circuit maintains high performance and reliability through optimized internal memory management and efficient data transfer protocols between the CPU and external storage. This approach enables manufacturers to tailor memory solutions to specific use cases without compromising system integrity.
15. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 14, wherein the monolithic integrated circuit does not include any on-chip non-volatile memory used for storing any one or more of (i) the industrial application, (ii) the Ethernet connectivity/management code, and (iii) the operating system.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for industrial applications, particularly focusing on Ethernet connectivity and management. The circuit is optimized to exclude on-chip non-volatile memory for storing critical components such as the industrial application, Ethernet connectivity/management code, or the operating system. Instead, these components are likely stored externally, reducing the chip's complexity and cost while maintaining functionality. The integrated circuit includes a processor core, a memory controller, and a network interface, all fabricated on a single semiconductor substrate. The memory controller interfaces with external memory to handle data storage and retrieval, while the network interface enables Ethernet communication. The absence of on-chip non-volatile memory simplifies the design, reduces manufacturing costs, and allows for greater flexibility in software updates and system configuration. This approach is particularly useful in industrial environments where reliability and cost-efficiency are critical. The circuit may also include additional features such as security mechanisms, power management, and peripheral interfaces to support various industrial applications. By offloading non-volatile storage to external components, the design ensures scalability and adaptability to different industrial use cases.
17. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 16, further comprising a soft real-time Ethernet switch, hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and at least one low-speed fieldbus/comms interface, wherein the monolithic integrated circuit does not include any on-chip non-volatile memory used for storing any one or more of (i) the industrial application, (ii) the Ethernet connectivity/management code, and (iii) the operating system.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for industrial automation systems, addressing the need for high-performance, real-time communication and processing in industrial environments. The circuit integrates a soft real-time Ethernet switch, hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and at least one low-speed fieldbus or communication interface, enabling seamless connectivity between different industrial devices and protocols. The design eliminates the requirement for on-chip non-volatile memory to store the industrial application, Ethernet connectivity/management code, or the operating system, reducing costs and complexity while improving reliability. By offloading these functions to external memory, the circuit ensures faster boot times, easier updates, and greater flexibility in system configuration. The hard real-time Ethernet interfaces provide deterministic communication for critical control tasks, while the soft real-time switch handles less time-sensitive data. The low-speed fieldbus interface supports legacy industrial protocols, ensuring backward compatibility. This architecture enhances scalability and adaptability in industrial automation, making it suitable for modern smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 applications.
18. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute-in-place from the external non-volatile memory at least one of the operating system, the industrial application, and the Ethernet connectivity/management code, and wherein the monolithic integrated circuit is configured such that during execution the on-chip RAM (i) stores at least the changeable process data associated with execution of the operating system, the industrial application, and the Ethernet connectivity/management code, and (ii) does not store code associated with each of the operating system, the industrial application, and the Ethernet connectivity/management code that is subject to execution-in-place.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for industrial control systems, addressing the need for efficient execution of critical software components while minimizing on-chip memory usage. The circuit includes at least one processor and on-chip RAM, interfacing with external non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to execute key software components—such as the operating system, industrial applications, and Ethernet connectivity/management code—directly from the external non-volatile memory, a technique known as execution-in-place (XIP). This approach eliminates the need to load these components into the on-chip RAM, conserving valuable internal memory resources. Instead, the on-chip RAM is reserved exclusively for storing changeable process data generated during the execution of these software components. The design ensures that only dynamic data, rather than static code, occupies the limited on-chip RAM, optimizing performance and reducing costs by avoiding the need for larger internal memory. The system maintains real-time responsiveness and reliability, critical for industrial automation tasks. The external non-volatile memory provides persistent storage for the executable code, while the on-chip RAM dynamically manages runtime data, creating a balanced architecture for embedded industrial control applications.
19. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 16, further comprising a soft real-time Ethernet switch, hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and at least one low-speed fieldbus/comms interface, wherein during execution at least one of the following code is stored in and executed from the on-chip RAM: (i) performance and latency critical code, such as the real-time processor code; (ii) self-modifying code; and (iii) code whose execution purpose is not compatible with execute-in-place (XIP), including any erase/write routines for the external non-volatile memory; and wherein for at least one of the operating system, industrial application, and Ethernet connectivity/management code that is configured to be executed-in-place from the external non-volatile memory, the on chip RAM stores the associated initialized data segment and does not store the associated code.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for real-time industrial applications, addressing the need for efficient execution of performance-critical and latency-sensitive code alongside code that cannot be executed directly from non-volatile memory. The circuit integrates a soft real-time Ethernet switch, hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and at least one low-speed fieldbus/communication interface to support diverse connectivity requirements. The on-chip RAM is used to store and execute code that is performance-critical, such as real-time processor code, self-modifying code, or code incompatible with execute-in-place (XIP) operations, including routines for erasing or writing to external non-volatile memory. For other code, such as operating system, industrial application, or Ethernet connectivity/management code, the circuit is configured to execute it directly from external non-volatile memory while storing only the associated initialized data segment in the on-chip RAM. This design optimizes memory usage and performance by separating execution contexts based on their requirements, ensuring efficient handling of both real-time and non-real-time tasks.
20. The monolithic integrated circuit according to claim 16, further comprising a soft real-time Ethernet switch, hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and at least one low-speed fieldbus/comms interface, wherein the on-chip RAM has a capacity of about 2 MB to about 128 MB, and wherein for each of the operating system, industrial application, and Ethernet connectivity/management code that is configured to be executed in place from the external non-volatile memory, the on chip RAM stores neither the associated initialized data segment nor the associated code.
This invention relates to a monolithic integrated circuit designed for industrial automation and control systems, addressing the need for high-performance, real-time processing with efficient memory management. The circuit integrates a soft real-time Ethernet switch, hard real-time Ethernet interfaces, and at least one low-speed fieldbus or communication interface to enable seamless connectivity between different network protocols. The on-chip RAM has a capacity ranging from 2 MB to 128 MB, optimized to avoid storing initialized data segments or code for the operating system, industrial application, or Ethernet connectivity/management code. Instead, these components are executed directly from external non-volatile memory, reducing memory overhead and improving system efficiency. The hard real-time Ethernet interfaces ensure deterministic communication for critical control tasks, while the soft real-time Ethernet switch handles less time-sensitive data. The low-speed fieldbus interface supports legacy or lower-bandwidth industrial protocols. This architecture enhances performance, reduces latency, and simplifies system design by consolidating multiple communication and processing functions into a single chip. The invention is particularly useful in industrial environments where real-time data processing and reliable connectivity are essential.
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August 6, 2018
May 7, 2024
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